Chapter 650: Ready for Combat
Saturday, March 11th, Afternoon
(Song lyrics in italics)
Trey looked down the court and clicked his microphone. Taking a deep breath, he started to talk.
"Pierce-Burke is running down after Northwest Guilford's shooting guard May. She's on a fast break after O'Brien's missed shot. May is in the paint, going for a layup; Pierce-Burke is up to contest the shot.
"Oh my god! Visions of Bill Russell, Pierce-Scott blocks the ball to Miller. Miller secures the ball and breaks up the court; Pierce-Burke is right behind her. The two weave their way through traffic, with them taking different sides of the paint.
"Miller stops and tosses the ball across the key towards Pierce-Burke. Pierce-Burke secured the ball and pushed it toward the hoop. Up in the air, Pierce-Burke is going up to break the tie in favor of Tree Hill," Trey said and watched Brett sail into the air. Trey's jaw dropped as he watched what Brett was doing.
"Oh my god! This broadcaster has never thought they would see this. In my lifetime, I've heard of this but never seen this. Brett Pierce-Burke just slammed the ball. I've heard her daddy had a signature slam dunk called the Diesel Power slam. His daughter just performed one, and this broadcaster never thought they would see one. Tree Hill now leads thirty-six to thirty-four.
"Less than a minute to play, Northwest Guilford had the ball. Miller and Pierce-Burke are racing down the court to get on defense. The hustle of those seniors is something to see. In the closing minute of their Tree Hill basketball career, both already committed to college to play next year, but they are leaving everything out on the court.
"The ball has been inbounded and coming from down the court. Northwest Guilford's best shooter is their point guard Austin. Whenever they need that last key basket, they turn to Austin.
"Austin fields the ball at the three-point arch; they're going for the win. Pierce-Burke rotated out to defend Austin. Austin is up for the three, make it they're champs, miss it, and go home. Pierce-Burke is contesting the shot," Trey said, as the two bodies were on a collision course. Brett caught the ball cleanly and deflected the ball to Faye. Faye caught the ball and started to dribble around.
"Oh my god! That is a tremendous block by Pierce-Burke; Ambrose secures the ball and dribbles out the clock. Ladies and Gentlemen, your Tree Hill Ravens girls' basketball team are the new North Carolina's 4A Woman's Basketball Champions! They are champions and have matched a feat no one thought could be done again and went undefeated. This is Trey Terthero for the home of your North Carolina's 4A Woman's Basketball Champion Tree Hill Ravens; Raven hoops dot come signing off," Trey said.
I'm not violent but let's play a little game
Let's pretend you'll listen to me, every word I say
You've been all up over me, yeah all up in my space
Back off, back off
Don't know why I let you walk all over me
Let you get the upper hand but not for long you see
Now you're in a position I wouldn't wanna be
Back off, back off
You can try to minimize me, but here's the truth
I've been saving all my savage up just for you
From the stands, Chase watched as Baylee and Brett ran down the court. Baylee passed the ball across the court, and Brett secured it, and Chase's eye went wide as she watched Brett leap into the air and slam dunk the ball. Chase turned to look at Huck, who was fist-pumping.
"I taught her that," Huck said.
Chase smiled, "Yes, you did," she said.
Huck was one big smile, "Diesel Power," he said.
Chase shook her head, "What did I say? Never say that again," she said.
"I, I, I don't know what to say," Brooke said.
"They have less than a minute; it's still up in the air," Huck said.
"I know; I've seen enough games," Brooke said.
The game kept going, and they focused on the current play. Chase held her breath as Brett went up to contest the three-pointer by Northwest Guilford. She breathed a heavy sigh of relief when Brett knocked the ball away when Faye secured the ball and ran down the last few seconds of the clock.
The final buzzer sounded, and Chase looked down at her oldest daughter getting rushed by her teammates on the court. Baylee, cute little Baylee, leapt into Brett's arms, hugging her. Big stoic Avril hugged the two girls from behind. Next, Faye threw the ball and collided with the scrum simultaneously with Flannery.
Chase laughed as the bench joined the scrum. Shaking her head, she turned to look at her husband; they hugged and kissed, broke apart, and looked at each other.
"She did it," Chase said.
"Yes, she did," Huck said, beaming as a proud papa should.
Chase turned to look at Brooke. Brooke smiled, "She earned it," she said.
Chase nodded, "She worked hard for it all," she said.
"I just don't know about the green and gold next year," Brooke said.
Chase laughed and rested her hand on Brooke's shoulder. "I think you'll make do," she said.
Brooke smiled, and Chase hugged her. Finally, Chase turned back to Huck. She waggled a finger at her bigger husband.
"Now, don't tease Garvan about how you won a title and he didn't," Chase said.
"Would I do something like that?" Huck asked.
"Yes," Chase said.
Huck chuckled, "Yeah, I guess so. I wonder where the party is going to be?" he asked.
Chase laughed, "Yes, that will be interesting to find out, but let them enjoy this," she said.
Huck nodded and looked down to the court to see Brett on the court celebrating.
I'm ready for combat, ready for rage
Haven't you heard? Luck favours the crazy
I'll make you fight back, yeah how you like that?
And just like that I got you
Rеady for combat, give me a war
Tick like a timеbomb, ready to roar
Let me ignite that, yeah how you like that?
And just like that I got you
Ready for combat
Ashlyn stood on the sideline nervously, watching the game's dying moments. To her left was Coach Sinclair; to her right was Coach Scott. Ashlyn always got nervous when they didn't control the ball at the end of the game. Ashlyn glanced at Coach Scott, who was a stoic picture as he stood and watched. Coach Sinclair showed her emotions more but seemed to have them under control. Ashlyn watched the seven girls on the bench, huddled together, holding hands like a group prayer. Ashlyn turned back to the game, her body tingling with nervous energy.
Brett leaped up, and Ashlyn studied her oldest daughter as she glided through the air. The expected layup didn't happen; instead, Brett slammed the ball, just like her daddy would've.
"Diesel power," Ashlyn said with a slight chuckle.
"Did I just see that?" Coach Sinclair asked.
"Yeah, and her daddy won't let anyone of us live that down," Ashlyn said.
"Well, let's hope it doesn't end up being an embarrassment to us if we lose," Coach Scott said.
Brett landed clean but didn't gloat. The good teammates, players, and friends, Baylee and Brett, didn't even cut their motors. They changed direction and raced down the court. Brett's visage was a mask of grim rock solid determination. Ashlyn suspected the stitches and cut were starting to hurt as the local was probably wearing off.
Ashlyn got downright paranoid as the ball went down the court to Austin, Northwest Guilford's best player. Someone wasn't paying attention, and Austin set up on Brett's side. Brett was one of the team's best shot blockers, and Ashlyn saw that Brett smelt blood in the water. Austin went up for the game-winning three-pointer, but Brett was right there. Austin had no chance, as Brett got a hand on the ball cleanly and sent it sailing free. Faye got under the ball and secured the ball and the game.
The seven girls on the bench jumped up and screamed! They hugged each other, and Ashlyn turned back to the court to watch Baylee jump into Brett's arms, then the other three girls. Ashlyn turned and hugged Coach Sinclair.
"We did it, Kiera," Ashlyn said.
"We did; the girls did," Coach Sinclair said.
Ashlyn hugged Coach Scott, "Congratulations, Lucas," she said.
"This is all our victory," Coach Scott said.
Coach Scott held up a hand, four fingers extended. He looked into the stands, trying to make eye contact with someone in the stands. This was something he did after winning championships. Coach Sinclair put her hand on his shoulder. Coach Scott turned and looked at Coach Sinclair with a sheepish look on his face. Coach Scott nodded and lowered his arm.
Coach Scott smiled a bit, "Let's go get them," Coach Scott said.
"Yeah, let's," Coach Sinclair said.
Ashlyn nodded and walked out onto the court. People were starting to come out of the stands to celebrate. Ashlyn looked to see Brett, Avril, Baylee, Sawyer, Keni, and Alexis talking and smiling.
Things were right in the world. Ashlyn's smartphone buzzed; she pulled it out and not a notification that there was a Miami Basketball game tonight. Ashlyn decided to text James.
Ashlyn: We won! We're States Champions.
James: Nice! I have to go, shoot arounds.
Kinda fun watch you trying to escape
Long time I stayed out of it, now I instigate
Making up for lost time, I could do this all day
Back off, back off
Don't act like you haven't been asking for it
Don't act like it isn't your fault
You always provoking me, I ignored it
Now I'm gonna give you my all
You can try to minimize me, but here's the truth
I've been saving all my savage up just for you
In the stands, Angela watched Brett slam dunk the ball; she jumped to her feet and screamed, and staying on her feet, she watched the game's final moments. She jumped and screamed as Brett blocked Northwest Guilford's final shot. This event brought Karen to her feet; when the clock ran down, they screamed and hugged each other. They jumped up and down, and finally, they broke apart.
Angela looked down to the court, Brett was holding Baylee, and she watched as Avril hugged both Brett and Baylee. Angela nodded and smiled.
"You did well for yourself, Baby Girl," Angela said.
"You've always been proud of your goddaughter," Karen said.
Angela nodded, "That I am," she said.
Karen swatted Angela; when Angela looked at Karen, she pointed to the court. "He's doing it," she said.
Angela looked at Karen, then at Lucas, then back to Karen, "He's doing what? Which he?" she asked.
"Your brother, Lucas, he's doing it," Karen said.
Angela looked down to the court and saw Lucas hold up a hand with four fingers extended. She watched Kiera touch his shoulder; Lucas looked at Kiera, nodded, and lowered his hand. Angela turned to Karen.
"He still does that?" Angela asked.
"Yeah," Karen said, "But this is the first time…."
"Yeah," Angela said.
"It was probably automatic," Karen said.
"Yeah," Angela said.
"What are you thinking, Angela Baby?" Andy asked.
"That this is an amazing game," Angela said.
"But?" Andy asked.
"I think this is an end of an era," Angela said.
Karen nodded, "He said he would retire after Sawyer graduates," she said.
"So, two years, I just can't see him not coaching," Angela said.
"Yeah," Andy said.
"Especially with everything that's happened," Karen said.
"What are you thinking, Angela?" Andy asked.
"We should, or at least I should go down there and congratulate them," Angela said.
Karen nodded, "We should," she said.
They nodded, slipped out of the row they sat in, and headed toward the court.
I'm ready for combat, ready for rage
Haven't you heard? Luck favours the crazy
I'll make you fight back, yeah how you like that?
And just like that I got you
Ready for combat, give me a war
Tick like a timebomb, ready to roar
Let me ignite that, yeah how you like that?
And just like that I got you
Ready for combat
As the noise died down, Brett looked up at the scoreboard; Tree Hill thirty-six, Northwest Guilford thirty-four. Game over, season over, high school career over, playing with her two closest friends over, an important chapter in her life over. Brett nodded and looked it all over, taking in all the lights and sounds, the teammates, the coaches, the fans; it was just one large energy wave that crashed and broke over her.
Brett looked and saw Avril and Baylee with their respective parents. She turned to see Coach Scott being hugged by his daughter, Sawyer. Many of her teammates were celebrating with their families. Brett looked down at her hand and opened then closed it. Another ring, the family had another ring but compared to what Daddy James had won, or Papa Nate, they were bobbles.
Through the crowd, she saw her dad and stepmom walking over to her. Brett looked at Huck and smiled; then she turned to Chase, who beamed at her. Huck came over to his oldest and gave her a big bear hug, lifting her off her feet.
"Whoa! What got into you, Daddy Huck?" Brett asked.
"He's happy you slam-dunked the ball," Chase said.
Huck put her down and beamed, "Diesel Power," he said.
"Dad, don't ever say that again," Brett said.
"Enough with this," Chase said, "Come here."
Brett walked over to Chase, and they hugged.
"Momma Chase," Brett said.
"Congratulations, Baby Girl," Chase said.
"Thanks," Brett said.
"You're welcome; I'm so proud of you," Chase said.
Brett got a little color in her cheeks. That's when Ashlyn showed up. The blonde looked at her daughter.
"We have to get you a shot at Doctor Perry's office," Ashlyn said.
"Mom, I was hoping to crash at Bay's tonight," Brett said.
Ashlyn rolled her eyes, "I didn't say you can't; just you need that shot first," she said.
Brett sighed, "Okay," she said.
"How does it feel?" Ashlyn asked.
"How does what feel?" Brett asked.
Ashlyn gestured to the crowd on the court.
Brett shrugged, "I don't know," she said.
Ashlyn nodded as Angela came over. Brett saw Angela, and her eyes grew wide. "Auntie Tall?" Brett asked.
"Yes," Angela said.
"Oh my god, you came," Brett said and hugged Angela.
"I wouldn't have missed it for the world," Angela said.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," Brett said.
"I'm so proud of you, Baby Girl," Angela said as Brett buried her face into Angela's shoulder.
You can try to minimize me, but here's the truth
I've been saving all my savage up just for you
You can try to minimize me, but here's the truth
I've been saving all my savage up just for you
You can try to minimize me, but here's the truth
I've been saving all my savage up just for you
You can try to minimize me, but here's the truth
I've been saving all my savage up just for you
I'm ready for combat, ready for rage
Haven't you heard? Luck favours the crazy
I'll make you fight back, yeah how you like that?
And just like that I got you
Ready for combat, give me a war
Tick like a timebomb, ready to roar
Let me ignite that, yeah how you like that?
And just like that I got you
Ready for combat
Welcome to the end of Episode 17. So, yes this is all about a basketball game, and the end of Brett's basketball career. The basketball games were all building towards this. This was a fun one to write. The next few episodes will each cover a single day.
The Annus Horribilis Secrets
1) Carson Murphy has passed away. (Episode 2)
2) Spencer Churchill "Church" Grady was killed in action as a US Navy Seal and buried in Arlington National Cemetery (aka The Garden). He is also Jessica Ashlyn Scott's Dad. (Episode 4)
3) Constance "Connie" Garland is in a permanent vegetative state. (Episode 6)
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Playlist
Chapter 621
Godsmack – Serenity
Chapter 624
House of Pain – House of Pain Anthem
Chapter 628
Korn – Blind
Chapter 632
Godsmack – Unforgettable
Chapter 642
Fearless Motivation - Watch Me Bleed
Chapter 648
Halestorm - I am the Fire
Chapter 650
Icon for Hire - Ready for Combat
Poems
Quotes
Translation Guide